Laurence Fox ordered to pay £90,000 in libel damages to Drag Race star
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Once upon a time, in the bustling world of social media, a heated argument unfolded between political pundit and former actor Laurence Fox and two other individuals. Little did they know that this online squabble would eventually lead to a high court ruling and a hefty sum of money changing hands.
It all started with Fox expressing his displeasure towards the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s for their Black History Month celebration post. This seemingly innocent comment snowballed into a contentious exchange on Twitter, during which Fox made defamatory remarks towards former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal (also known as Colin Seymour), and Coronation Street actress Nicola Thorp.
Fast forward to January, and the high court judge Mrs Justice Collins Rice delivered a scathing verdict, deeming Fox’s statements as “harmful, defamatory, and baseless.” Fox attempted to counter-sue the two men for calling him a racist, but his claims were swiftly dismissed.
In a subsequent ruling in April, Fox was ordered to pay Blake and Crystal a total of £180,000 (£90,000 each) in libel damages. The judge emphasized the seriousness of Fox’s actions, stating that his accusations of pedophilia had caused significant harm to the reputations of the two men. The damages were deemed compensatory rather than punitive, with the goal of helping the victims move on from the distressing ordeal.
Crystal, in particular, spoke out about the relentless abuse he had faced following Fox’s defamatory remarks. The drag artist described the past three years as a constant barrage of negativity, especially when venturing into public spaces outside of the queer community.
Fox was also issued a stern warning by the court to refrain from repeating such allegations in the future, under the threat of being found guilty of contempt of court. Despite his disagreement with the verdict, Fox was reminded of the legal consequences of spreading false accusations.
The ruling served as a stark reminder of the power of words and the impact they can have on individuals’ lives. It reinforced the importance of responsible communication and the consequences of spreading harmful misinformation. In the end, justice prevailed, and the victims were rightfully compensated for the unwarranted ordeal they had endured.
As the virtual dust settled on this online feud, it left behind a valuable lesson for all those who engage in social media debates: think before you speak, and choose your words wisely, for they hold the power to uplift or destroy.
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